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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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What to expect in late stages as cancer progresses?
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Member Since:
3 September 2015
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7 July 2016 - 12:11 pm
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I hate that we all have shared experiences of pain and grief, but could use your help understanding how things will play out for my sweet Biscuit.

Biscuit was diagnosed with a nerve sheath tumor (Grade 3 Neurofibrosarcoma) and had a front leg amputation, radiation and chemotherapy last fall. In January, a lung x-ray revealed mets. We have not done anything medically since January, and he had no trouble at all with any of the treatment.

Now, almost 6 months later, we are so grateful (and, frankly, surprised) that we continue to have each day that we have with him. Here's where we are now:

  • Activity is low but hops around well when he's up and still loves to bark at things. No accidents or trouble going outside to the bathroom. 
  • Eats great (always has!) 
  • Has started seeming stiff after laying down. Sometimes cries when he tries to move his neck/head to get up. Not sure if he's just keeping the same position longer due to lack of activity or if it's a new symptom of something else. 
  • Occasionally has episodes of panting. Last night he couldn't stop panting so I gave him a Tramadol.

What comes next and how do I keep him comfortable? Does a lung tumor mean he will start coughing? We are focused on enjoying each day, but it would help me to have a sense of what signs to look for and what options we have to help him stay comfortable.

Thank you all for being such an invaluable resource!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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7 July 2016 - 1:54 pm
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Awww....sweet Biscuit!

To nere that her quality is good and she's happy is such great news! Sounds like she still has spunk and joy!

EVERY situation Is diffferent and this stupod piece of crap disease can act very differer each time it dexides to.

I can share my experience with my beloved Happy Hannah though after her met was discovered. And ntw, applaue to you for continuing to stay in the moment and maki g each day count, in spite of the disease! Goodness knows Biscuit is making every day cou t and enjoying soaking up all that lovi g and spoiling!!

In my Happy Hannah's case there never seemed to be any pain, some "discomfort" every niw and then and the Tramadw helped with that, but never any pain. She did eventually beco e more and more tired...tired very, very easily. Never coughed. Never sneezed. Never coughed up blood. She did have panting some and some changing in her breathi g lattern off and on.

The vet prescribed Prednisone (for any inflammation arou d the met) and some Tramadol as needed

Happy Hannah NEVER missed a meal! 'She still wagged her tail and never gave ne the "I'm done look". We all have to defi e quality of life for our dogs in an individual level.

What tipped the scales for me was whene she seemed to have trouble sleeping. It seemed more uncomfortable to try and sleep. I think it was jarder for her to breathe in her sleep.position.

I realized that she was starting to pay a price for more loving and spoiling...and she didn't need to. She didn't need to wait to transition until things got bad and she couldn't eat or didn't wag her tail. There was no "getting better" with the .met at this point. It could only get worse. Not being able to sleep at night could only be a sign of thi gs going down hil@. And I was able to love her enough to not let thst happen.

I was able to have a bit of time to "arrange"'how her trip "back home" would be. The vet would co me to the hoise in a happy state with all "tools" hidden. I had a plate of steak, liverwurst, ice cream, M&Ms a dnd...her favortie food ever...a scoop of deer poop!! With every fiber in my being....with every ounce of coursge I coukd find...I made it a happy send off for her. Hardest thing in the world and I still, after two years, can cry and hurt as though it happened yesterday.

Based on what you've said, and things sound somewhat similar to my Happy Hannah's lart of the journey, it sounds like. Biscuit is not in pain and the "good is outweighing the bad". If you start to see more of a downward spiral, if lack of sleeping becomes more consistent, then you can start to think about his quality and if it's worth it to him. With Halpy Hannah, there came a point when I realized (and maybe this was a week or so before), that a"anytine" from that point forward would be the "right" time as it could only get worse. I can also add, that there is never a "right" time. Did I do "it" a bit too soon? Shoukd I have waited for the "give up" look in her eyes? I still come to the conclusion that I woukd rather do release a day too soon than a day too late. We don't always have that option.

I taped a lock of my hair over her heart and and a pocture of us together

Check with your vet zvout Prednisone. I think that will help with the breathing. Try massaging a lot before he gets up...all up and down his neck and spine. Some Tramadol will help with thst too.

Continue to savor each moment! COMMIT...VOW...TO STAY IN THE MOMENT THE ENTIRE TIME!!!' STAY FOCUSED ON NOW! Not the next day..not the next hour...just the now! Your love for Biscuit is sooo strongg! You can get through this! You can break into a million pieces later. But right now Biscuit is with you and you two have some living to do!

You jave a lot of junk food ro give him!' Give him a ythinv he wa ts! Ice cream, lots of ice cream and even a couple of M&Ms!! Have any deer poop around to op off the ice cream?

Take lots a d lots of pictures...And make sure you are in some! Video him barking! Co tinue to make happy memories!

I'm sending you love, strength and the power of staying in the now!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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7 July 2016 - 1:56 pm
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I'm so glad that Biscuit is holding his own! Whatever happens today, just make it the best day ever and you won't have any regrets.

It's normal to ask a question like this. The hard part is that all dogs are different. In general there are symptoms you can look for, but it's too easy to let your mind wander and go crazy thinking that something that looks like "the end" is really a sign of a completely treatable condition.

Let's start with his stiffness. To me, that sounds like just that: he's sore. What kinds of activity does he do in the daytime? Are you doing any massage or icing or any other treatments to help him feel better?

The panting could also be a sign of the stiffness he's in. Did the tramadol help?

That's where I would start keeping him comfortable.

Lung tumors usually manifest with a dry cough that doesn't sound like any other you've heard him make, so that's pretty clear when it starts. Our Jerry's presented gradually over the course of about a month. When the mets impacted his air intake, we knew they were big. We went in to confirm and yep, sure were. Got him on some treatments to help with the symptoms and some worked some didn't. Prednisone, Albuterol and Robitussun DM were the three big ones. Today I would consider some holistic remedies first, the pharmaceuticals had too many side effects for him. Your vet will know which ones could help Biscuit the best.

Hopefully that's a long, long way off. If you suspect that he is showing signs, of course don't hesitate to call your vet. Even if/when mets do appear, there are ways to deal with the symptoms. See:

How to Help Coughing from Lung Metastasis

I hope you get lots more time with your special guy!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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7 July 2016 - 8:00 pm
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It sounds like Biscuit is still doing pretty good!  I wonder if some of the panting could just be related to all of the fireworks, too?  Murphy's really been bothered by them this year, more than ever.  It's good to keep weighing the good vs. bad and it sounds like the good is still out weighing the bad.  Biscuit isn't worried about that stupid prognosis - he's just worried about spending time with you.  Keep doing what you're doing!

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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11 July 2016 - 11:19 pm
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I hope you and your Biscuit had a happy day.

I had a cat with malignant melanoma and was told it would go to his lungs. My experience was very similar to Sally's. However, I did not serve deer poop. I knew his lungs were affected because he developed the cutest little cough. Initially nothing bothered him but over time the tumours became itchy and he couldn't sleep comfortably unless in was in my arms. Although it was a great honour to nurse him I knew he wasn't having fun anymore and it was time to let him go.

I wish you many more joyful and comfortable days together making special memories.

Kerren

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